A MALDON District Council meeting was abandoned early last night after police were called and members walked out.

Thursday evening's full council meeting agenda included sanctions against Chrisy Morris, independent councillor for Heybridge West, after he was found to have "brought the authority into disrepute" by the joint standards committee after two independent investigations.

The minutes of the meeting say he disclosed confidential information and on several occasions his "conduct met the definition of bullying".

Police officers who attended the council chambers in Princes Road yesterday evening said Mr Morris was "breaching the peace" after he repeatedly interjected while chairman Mark Heard was trying to speak.

Read more: Council leader says 'enough is enough' after meeting ended early in ban row

Chrisy Morris could be heard on the council's livestream repeatedly shouting “point of order”.

Members therefore decided for Mr Morris to no longer be heard at the meeting.

Mr Morris said: "You have no authority over me"

He added: "You can't make me leave you idiots. You can't make me leave the meeting, I'm democratically elected."

Council members voted to extend Mr Morris' ban from attending all committees and working groups or outside bodies from 12 months to 18 months.

Mr Morris said: "I'm not on any, how can you remove me from them I'm not on any."

The meeting was then adjourned after he continued to speak over members and Mr Heard and there was a five-minute break.

Before the livestream ended Mr Heard could be heard telling police officers: "He's got no right to be here."

Mr Morris said: "I've got every right to be here I've been elected."

When members returned from the break the chairman advised members to "rise and walk out in protest" - ending the meeting with items still to be discussed.

Update 15:14: Police issue statement.

Officers were called by council members to reports of a disturbance at Maldon District Council offices in Princes Road around 7.30pm on Thursday.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Officers spoke with those present. No arrests were made."